Honda Pioneer 700-4

[foggy1111]

Foggy,
I quoted this from the UTV plow thread because I had a couple comments and didn't want to hijack that thread.

I completely agree with you on wanting the heater! One of the reasons I really like the Pioneer is because it seems like the heater/cab was designed together by Honda and should be a good fit and finish, rather than an afterthought just stuck in somewhere.

Can you post an update here when you get the heater and use it a few times in the cold weather? I'm curious if it can provide useable heat when the machine is at idle, or if it will need to have a slight load on the motor to really heat much.
I'd like to be able to start the machine and let it warm up with the heat on while I'm in the house, then go out to the nice warm machine. Not sure if it will be able to heat up the cab like that, or if it's only designed to "take the chill off" but I figure if it can keep someone warm in your neck of the woods, then it should work for me

Thanks for the helpful info you've provided thus far.

By the way, got any more pics?

-------------------------

Going out fishing in a few minutes. I will try to snap a couple of pics on the ice. I think my fabric doors and the rear fabric curtain are not tight enough to make it like your riding in the car?simply too many big gaps exist to just wear "street clothing". If you want that?you will need to get a hard side cab. They do make 'em and I think they are more weathertight than what I have. But?they also cost lots more.

After I get my heater installed (couple weeks yet) then I can comment more about how warm it is. I have no other cab experience.

 

[foggy1111]

So, I snapped a couple pictures at my fishing shelter, but only one got saved (??). Caught one Walleye tonight, and missed a couple more light biters. Was -5 f coming off the ice, and I wish for my heater. My toes are still cold. Gotta put on my warmer boots next time out.

We've ridden three in the front seat coming off the ice…..works pretty good. My auger is hanging out the back. I want to make a better bracket to carry the auger on the front bumper, but that may have to wait till summer. (or maybe find one on the aftermarket?)

There is actually about a foot of snow under my rig…..but its packed so tight and frozen solid…..so I ride over the top of most of it. Still some slush on many of the area lakes. I hate slush.

 

[foggy1111]

One more showing cab and my 4000 lb winch. Also a pic from this fall?.on why you need that winch.

 

[Piston]

Thanks Foggy! You sure do have some darn cold weather that's for sure!

I believe the windshield you have is the only one that accepts the windshield wiper? I know you said the soft doors have some gaps in them, but how is the windshield? Is it pretty much tight around the seems?

I did see the hard doors on the Honda website after you sent me the message about their online catalog, and I saw the hard doors your speaking of. I think I'd wanna see what the aftermarket companies come up with because Honda's are pretty ugly and seem to (from what I can tell) have a big blind spot in the corner, as opposed to the soft doors like yours, which I think look good and seem to have a much bigger "viewing area".

I did email Curtis Cab the other day, and asked if they had any plans to make a hard cab for the Pioneer, they said they were considering it but haven't started anything in the making yet. He said it would depend on how much demand they think they'll get for them.

I'm sure other aftermarket options should be available within the year or so.

 

[foggy1111]

It was 26 below Zero here this morning. Yowser! THAT is cold. Kinda like the day I put my tounge on the bike rack…..memorable.

The glass windshield is really nice……and it does accept a wiper. I like both. The glass windshield won't get all scratched up with brush and from the wiper operation. It is very tight and lets no air pass thru. Not sure if the summer will be hot with it (?)….but it does come off easily with clamps and I may buy an inexpensive 1/2 plexi windshield if it becomes an issue (which I doubt here in MN).

The canvas door seem pretty well made despite a few gaps around the perimeters…..but its almost like an old jeep…..and in operation they seem just fine to me. If I wanted a tight cab…..I think I would buy a mini pickup or SUV. The doors and rear fabric panel can be removed in a few minutes.

I think I will leave my hardtop and glass windshield on all year long. Sure is nice protection in brush and during lite rains. The 1/2 doors on the Pioneeer provide lots of protection too. I can remember old jeeps where the windshield would lay flat on the hood. That would be a neat feature (but it is not practical on this unit).

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

As I mentioned in my thread, I've got the factory hard cab on order and was planning on installing it myself. But my dealer was quick to point out that the hardest part of installing them is getting them sealed up properly. I figure for the cost of the cab it makes sense to have them install it and get it right the first time. I looked hard at the Big Red before buying the Mule but I really wanted the bench seat. I do like the Pioneer though it looks very sporty.

Matt

 

[Piston]

Hey Foggy,
Have you had a chance to try out that new heater yet?

 

[foggy1111]

Hey Foggy,
Have you had a chance to try out that new heater yet?

Boy…..I wish. Honda has been quite slow to release some of the accessories - the heater being one of 'em. They have put the heater off a few times. I am getting a little bit of an "attitude" about it too. This whole accessory thing is a bit of a scam IMO…..or maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age.

 

[Piston]

Boy…..I wish. Honda has been quite slow to release some of the accessories - the heater being one of 'em. They have put the heater off a few times. I am getting a little bit of an "attitude" about it too. This whole accessory thing is a bit of a scam IMO…..or maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age.

Oops....sorry to bring up a sore subject.


I'd be aggravated too. They "should" have these things all worked out BEFORE releasing the product, however it rarely works that way.


Aside from that, is everything still as good as you dreamed it would be? Or are you out of the "Honeymoon Phase" already?

 

[foggy1111]

The Honeymoon doesn't last as long with me these days. Over pretty fast.

The machine is a good product. I feel the accessories are way overpriced and should be more plug and play / user instal friendlier. I suppose all brands are that way…..but, they wouldn't have to be. I expected better out of Honda. Too bad the aftermarket takes so long to get involved. I suppose that's the way it is with a new model.

Gotta say….I feel a bit "scammed" on some of the accessories. For example, if you buy the voltmeter and switch panel and wiring harness……you don't get the switch to operate the accessory until you buy THAT package. And…..it's all proprietary sized stuff. So….you are now somewhat committed to the overpriced Honda accessory. Like their aux LED lights, heater, wiper. And….the lighting is quite minimal…..so of course you want to improve upon it.

I don't like being "gamed" in this way. I suppose they want to earn a profit….but some of the accessories are 3 or 4 X what you can buy them for elsewhere. (LED lights for example…..heater is another example)

If they want to play hardball like this…..then they are gonna get a few black-eyes too.